Bell County locahl health authority Dr. Janice K. Smith issued an order today imposing restrictions on all public and private (non-religious) schools that will keep schools closed for in-person face-to-face instruction until after September 7, 2020.

“The situation regarding COVID-19 in Bell County, Texas is rapidly evolving, with an observed rapid rate of transmission through community spread as demonstrated by continued high numbers of new cases, a steadily increasing case positivity rate, and increased COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths,” the order states.

“There has been a significant increase in cases in the younger population, including school age children, in the past few weeks,” the order further states.

The order further states the following:

Virtual instruction shall be permitted as per a school system’s own plan.

Extracurricular sports and activities shall not take place until school systems reopen for on-campus instruction, with the following exceptions:

• lA, 2A, 3A and 4A high schools may conduct extracurricular activities, including band practices and volleyball, football, and cross country practices, scrimmages, games, and meets according to the latest UIL guidelines and restrictions regarding gatherings mandated by Governor Abbott.

• Students already participating in UIL strength conditioning programs can continue t participate as long as the schools follow UIL guidelines.

“While religious schools are exempt under orders from the Governor’s Office, they are strongly urged to comply with these restrictions to assist with decreasing the spread of Covid-19 in our communities.”

The order makes these exceptions:

• Teachers and other staff may work on campus as long as social distancing and face covering guidelines are strictly adhered to.

• Schools are allowed to provide childcare for the children of school district employees as long as they are strictly following guidelines for childcare centers.

• Students who need evaluations or support for special education, bilingual, dyslexia, or other special programs may be scheduled to come to campus for this activity as long as social distancing and face-covering guidelines are followed.

• Students and/or parents are allowed to pick up pre-prepared meals, technology, and /or school supplies as they have been doing during this time, but must wear face coverings and follow social distancing guidelines.

Each school system shall submit a comprehensive plan for opening to the Bell County Public Health District for review by August 21, 2020. In developing the on-campus instruction component of the comprehensive plan, the following guidelines are recommended:

• Parents should continue to have the ability to choose in person vs. remote instruction options per TEA guidelines.

• Face coverings should be required campus wide for ALL students and staff.

• School staff should check each student’s temperature upon arrival to campus for a fever above 100 F. Any student demonstrating a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 should be sent home.

• Other restrictions as follow TEA and CDC guidelines will be included in each school’s comprehensive plans, including plans for large group gatherings, sporting events, choir, etc.

• Any campus with 2% or greater of their campus population (students and staff) found to be positive for Covid-19 in a 7 day period shall be closed for up to 10 days, according to CDC guidelines, to prevent further spread and allow for complete sanitation of the campus.

• Any positive individual must be cleared using the standards set out by DSHS prior to returning to campus.

• All restrictions must be in compliance with directives from the Governor’s Office and/or DSHS.

While Salado ISD is a 4A school that is allowed to continue practices and games following UIL guidelines, Superintendent Michael Novotny told Salado Village Voice that he expects UIL to give further guidance for parity among schools.

The football district that Salado competes in is spread across multiple counties. Schools in Bell, Williamson and Coryell counties (Salado, Jarrell and Gatesville) are permitted under local rules to practice and play games. Schools in McLennan county (China Spring, Robinson and Connally) are not allowed to practice and play games.